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Great Game Previews In History: 21 October 2013

by J.R.

Today In History

The Royal Navy, led by Adm. Horatio Nelson, defeat the combined naval forces of France and Spain on October 21, 1805’s Battle of Trafalgar, one of the greatest naval engagements of all time.

Outnumbered, Nelson’s 27 ships of the line defeated the Franco-Spanish force’s 33, the enemy totaling nearly 30,000 men and 2,568 guns to his 17,000 men and 2,148 guns.

Instead of fighting in parallel lines — the established orthopraxy, as it facilitated communication and broadside attacks — Nelson split his fleet into two columns, setting them perpendicular to his opponent.

The tactic allowed Nelson to split an already fragmented opposition and send ship after ship into an increasingly weakened and frazzled line.

Nelson died during the battle, but died one of Britain’s great military heroes. The battle cemented Britain as the world’s great seapower and effectively ended France’s sea power.

Avalanche at Penguins, 5:30 PM Mountain/6:30 PM Central

Last Time They Met: The Pens defeated the Avs March 3, 2012 in Denver. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 35 shots.

Last 10: Colorado 7-1-0; Pittsburgh 7-1-0

Historical Context: While we here at III Communication know that Conference III is the dominant force in the world of hockey, the rest of the universe has yet to acknowledge the supremacy. Thus, we send our Nelson — the 7-1-0 Avs to challenge the Penguins, whose Crosby-Malkin combination is an international alliance not unlike France and Spain. If ever there was a fiery, unconventional thinker like Nelson in the NHL, it is the fiery and unconventional Patrick Roy, who has never had much concern about the dictates of history and reputation.